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The Panorama of Thượng Temple dedicated to Thánh Gióng, Phù Đổng Commune, Gia Lâm District Photographer Bùi Quang Thanh, 2009. © Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies.

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Mr. Drum Commander at the Traditional Giong Festival

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The Landscape of the Phu Dong Village during the Festive Days

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Saint Gióng also known as Phù Đổng Sky King in historical literature is a legendary hero of the ancient Vietnamese. Many centuries ago, Saint Gióng festival of Phù Đổng village – his homeland - was ranked as the most attractive one in the Northern Delta. It attracts tens of thousands of people from everywhere to attend thanks to its performing match like a battle that reenacts the national hero’s victory. Gióng festival takes place from the 6th to the 12th day of the fourth lunar month, mobilizing hundreds of village male teenagers who act phù giá (assisstants) in an elite troop. On the 6th day of the fourth lunar month, those who act generals have to be launched in front of the Sky King, and then gather at Phù Đổng temple where they officially enter the time and space of the legend. A ritual of sacrifice is one of the most important practices of the festival at Sky King Temple as it is believed that sacrifice symbolizes the community’s respect dedicated to the holy Saint. It is followed by the ritual of water procession performed by the generals of the troop, which implies that sacred water taken from Mẫu Temple is used to bathe the weapon. The chess-playing ritual also known as the battle ritual is the central activity of Gióng festival of Phù Đổng temple and it is practiced in the form of a grand performance.

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Saint Gióng also known as Phù Đổng Sky King in historical literature is a legendary hero of the ancient Vietnamese. Many centuries ago, Saint Gióng festival of Phù Đổng village – his homeland - was ranked as the most attractive one in the Northern Delta. It attracts tens of thousands of people from everywhere to attend thanks to its performing match like a battle that reenacts the national hero’s victory. Gióng festival takes place from the 6th to the 12th day of the fourth lunar month, mobilizing hundreds of village male teenagers who act phù giá (assisstants) in an elite troop. On the 6th day of the fourth lunar month, those who act generals have to be launched in front of the Sky King, and then gather at Phù Đổng temple where they officially enter the time and space of the legend. A ritual of sacrifice is one of the most important practices of the festival at Sky King Temple as it is believed that sacrifice symbolizes the community’s respect dedicated to the holy Saint. It is followed by the ritual of water procession performed by the generals of the troop, which implies that sacred water taken from Mẫu Temple is used to bathe the weapon. The chess-playing ritual also known as the battle ritual is the central activity of Gióng festival of Phù Đổng temple and it is practiced in the form of a grand performance.

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Mr. Flag Commander at his repertoire before the Giong Festive Days

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Mr. Flag Commander during the Procession at the Traditional Giong Festival

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The Space of the Giong Traditional Village Festival

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The Flag Commander Raises the Flag as the Symbol of Victory

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Saint Gióng also known as Phù Đổng Sky King in historical literature is a legendary hero of the ancient Vietnamese. Many centuries ago, Saint Gióng festival of Phù Đổng village – his homeland - was ranked as the most attractive one in the Northern Delta. It attracts tens of thousands of people from everywhere to attend thanks to its performing match like a battle that reenacts the national hero’s victory. Gióng festival takes place from the 6th to the 12th day of the fourth lunar month, mobilizing hundreds of village male teenagers who act phù giá (assisstants) in an elite troop. On the 6th day of the fourth lunar month, those who act generals have to be launched in front of the Sky King, and then gather at Phù Đổng temple where they officially enter the time and space of the legend. A ritual of sacrifice is one of the most important practices of the festival at Sky King Temple as it is believed that sacrifice symbolizes the community’s respect dedicated to the holy Saint. It is followed by the ritual of water procession performed by the generals of the troop, which implies that sacred water taken from Mẫu Temple is used to bathe the weapon. The chess-playing ritual also known as the battle ritual is the central activity of Gióng festival of Phù Đổng temple and it is practiced in the form of a grand performance.

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Thượng Temple on Sóc Mountain, Vệ Linh Hamlet, Phu Linh Commune, Sóc Sơn District. Photographer Lê Thị Hoài Phương, 2002. © Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies

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Thánh Gióng’s Statue at Phù Đổng Temple, Phù Đổng Commune, Gia Lâm District Photographer Nguyễn Trung Bình, 2009. © Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies.

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The Flag Commander Raises the Battle Flag at the Traditional Giong Village Festival

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The ritual of making bamboo flowers for the Gióng Festival, Sóc Temple, Vệ Linh Hamlet, Phù Linh Commune, Sóc Sơn District. Photographer Lê Thị Hoài Phương, 2002. © Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies.

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Water procession at Gióng Festival, Phù Đổng commune, Gia Lâm District. Photograhper Nguyễn Trường Giang, 2001. © Viet Nam Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology

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Thánh Gióng’s horse at the enacted battle at Gióng Festival, Phù Đổng Commune, Gia Lâm District. Photographer Xuân Át, 2005. © Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies

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One enemy general at Gióng Festival, Phù Đổng Temple, Phù Đổng Commune, Gia Lâm District. Photographer Nguyễn Trường Giang, 2001. © Viet Nam Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology

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The Sacred Private Room for Mr. Flag Commander

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Waving the commanding flag at Gióng Festival, Phù Đổng Temple, Phù Đổng Commune, Gia Lâm District. Photographer Nguyễn Thị Phương, 2009. © Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies

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The Inventory Meeting of Intangible Cultural Heritage for Gióng Festival, Sóc Temple, Phù Linh Commune, Sóc Sơn District. Photograhper Nguyễn Thu Hường, 2009. © Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies

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Flycam to shoot the panorama of Phu Dong village

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Discussion for the safeguarding and promoting of intangible cultural heritage: Gióng Festival, Phù Đổng Commune, Gia Lâm District. Photographer Bùi Quang Thanh, 2009. © Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies